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Monday, November 30, 2009

Well, today is the last day of November. Sadly, that means it is the end of my Design Team gig over at My Cute Stamps. I wanted to thank Holly for the wonderful opportunity! I had a ball working with her CUTE images...

Happy Monday Peeps!

P.S. Haven't gotten very far with my Christmas cards...it is a photo holder...I'm trying to make it USPS efficient...translation...normal postage...LOL.

P.P.S. I managed to make some cute Gift Show projects...I'll share those in a couple days...

Go check it out...there is a sale right now on all images...15% off...check out their website for more deets {hurry...it expires 12/01/09!}!

The 365 Cards Design Team had the opportunity to work with some very fun KLM images. This is the Sunday Sketch...whew...not too scary, right? LOL

I got to play with this very pretty Lily image...I wanted to keep the coloring true to life so I kept the color palette pretty clean & crisp. I 'made' up for the lack of nature's coloring with 4 layers of images!

Here is a close up:

I haven't used my Basic Grey Lemonade papers so I decided to use those for today's sketch...such a drastic change in pace for me since I've been all about the holiday's.

Typing about the holiday's....I should be working on my Christmas cards this weekend....I also need to work on some projects for an upcoming gift show so I've decided to reduce my blogging schedule for the next 2 weeks...I'll be "off" Monday through Wednesday and back again Thursday. I have so much to do...I'm sure there are probably a ton of other peeps in the same boat as me:)

Okay, wanted to leave you with another fabbie RAK that I've received....

I know...isn't it simply spectacular?! It's a Heidi Van Laar Original!!! Not only that but she included some goodies too...delish stuff that you'll see soon:) Thanks sista!!! I came across a vintage Heidi book and sent it to...Heidi...LOL.

Okay, my peeps...be on the lookout for another post today with my Blog Candy winner and a pic of this week's blog candy:)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

This blog post is a big one...perhaps it is my way of getting a smidge 'ahead' since I'll be taking the next 2 weeks at a slower blogging pace...getting ready for another Gift Show. I'll be 'off' on Monday-Wednesday and back again on Thursday.

Seriously, there is something about the Hero Arts Three Christmas Dolls set....absolutely makes me happy!

I love teaming up the Jillibean black and kraft line together. What is that I see... yes, I did find my Eskimo Kisses 6x6 stack...yup, evidently I actually put it away...LOL...something that I didn't think that I had done! Don't you love the word bubble? It is from Elsie Flannigan/Red Velvet Art...you'll see some other things from her in a bit...

Next up is a project for My Cute Stamps. I finally bought some felt and picked up the fabbie Sizzix flower die that I keep seeing out there in blogland. I did a smidge of hand stitching...great way to adhere the pale pink felt to the cardstock...Isn't that My Cute Stamps Owl just a Hoot?!

Okay, my peeps that know me will be proud...I actually baked on Thanksgiving! I had so much fun putting together these Red Velvet Cupcakes together! I got the recipe from Design*Sponge...it is the Waldorf Astoria one.I'll be honest, I didn't have much luck with the frosting...I followed the directions...it tasted good but it looked icky...almost curdled so I didn't want to chance it...I went to the grocery store and picked up some other frosting...I know, I know...for you bakers you are probably shrieking...appalled but hey, I'm not a baker and let me tell you, those puppies still tasted delish!!

I "had" to personalize one of the cupcake toppers...they are Red Velvet Cupcakes and Elsie is the queen of Red Velvet:) My boy helped me out alot...but I have to be honest...after the baking and frosting was over...my kitchen looked like a crime scene...red stuff everywhere!

We definitely had fun with the moustache's!

Remember to come on back tomorrow....I'll have my 365 Cards Super Sketchy Sunday Card to share with you all...also, I'll be posting the winner of my blog candy and sharing a pic of my latest and greatest candy:)

I dug out one of my favorite papers by Stampin' Up, Haiku. The colors and patterns are fabulous. I was able to team them up with the fun puffy thickers...those don't photog well..sorry about that:)

I'm really making an effort to send out RAK's...this has already gone postal to a gal. I've been sooo thrilled with my RAK's that I've received that I want to PIF.

My sewing machine seems to sometimes have a mind of her own...lol...I really need to concentrate more when I'm sewing...my mind seems to wander...you know, working on the mental "to do" list...remembering about another thing to add to that "to do" list...LOL. Seriously, I should have a notepad around my neck...on a lanyard...so I can jot notes down and then NOT lose them. People laugh at me but I do tend to write myself notes on my arm...not my hand because I wash them so often the notes would disappear.

I thought I'd share a slight pet peeve that I have at work...you know how people share food...leave a tray of cookies out on the kitchen table? A gal shared a tray of macaroons the other day...I think she picked them up from Trader Joe's...I'm one of the first people that get into work on "my side of the bldg"...On Wednesday morning I went into the kitchen area and guess what? Whoever took the very last macaroon left the tray there...it is a disposable plastic tray...the macaroon's were packaged on it...why or why can't peeps clean up after themselves? Seriously, how hard is it to just throw the tray away? I left a note next to it:

------

Seriously?!

How hard is it to throw the tray away?

You should have just taken 1/2 of a macaroon and it may have justified you not tossing the tray...

------

muwahahahaha....

Yup, about 2 hours later...someone recycled the note and tossed the tray.

Create a card for someone who you are thankful for, and be sure to tell us why on your blog.

Okay for those of you that follow the 365 Cards blog, you know that there are certain {ahem} rebels..I'm typically not one of them {wink!} but for today's challenge I have 2 cards.

I should first start off by saying that I'm thankful for everyone that is a part of my life. Seriously....I'm not who I am today if not for you...I do believe that there is a reason why people come in your life...I'm obviously super thankful for my kids...that goes without saying.

Here are the cards I made for today's challenge...basically the same design but just in different colors.

First up is my Pumpkin Spice version...

I consider this my feminine version...especially with the use of my Stampin' Up Eyelet Border punch. This card went postal to my Momma {smiles...remember, she doesn't like to be called Momma...just Mom}.

After my Mom and Dad were divorced, my Mom had to get a job to support me and my 2 older brothers. We moved from British Columbia to Washington State. I got 2 words to describe my Mom...Whipper Snapper. She worked hard to always provide a nice home for us. Sometimes she would work 2 jobs...not too unusual in an Asian household...I actually worked at 2 jobs for several years. She is highly entertaining...very animated. She has always been there for me when I needed her..especially during some difficult times a couple years ago. I wouldn't be the chicklet that I am if it weren't for her...Thanks Mom!!!

Next up is my masculine Night of Navy version...yes, I think a masculine card can have a bloom on it...I inked up the edges of the bloom a ton...love that look.

Yup, this went to my honey 'd'...what can I say? I'm sooo thankful that he is a part of my life...he is laid back, kind, funny, sweet, empathetic....everything that I'm looking for. He always supports my creative side...gotta love that....I'm truly a lucky duck!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

I hope that I'm not scaring you away with yet another Holiday card...I know some peeps might be getting sick of them but I haven't...I love seeing what everyone out in bloggieland is creating for the holiday's.

I really enjoy designing with coordinating/contrasting patterned paper. The green papers are American Crafts and the pink is KI.

Isn't that cocoa mug image a-dorable??? It is an Imaginisce image....speaking of Imaginisce...did you see their new DT? My Get Sketchy buddy Shemaine and 365 Cards Alum Tammy are both on it!!!

Psstttt...the marshmallows are glitter'licious!

btw-I did some woot woot'ing yesterday...check out the Caardvarks and Cosmo Cricket linkies...I create because I enjoy it...it's theraupetic...being recognized for it is icing on the cupcake!

I bet everyone is busy getting ready for T-Day tomorrow:) I'm lucky...we're having dinner at my Mom's and I'm in charge of a salad and I'm bringing a dessert...I have yet to make a turkey..LOL..Long, long time ago, I ventured and made Cornish Game Hens...that's another story...my family went home hungry because the studio apt that I was living in at the time had a tiny oven...I think everyone was able to partake in 1/3 of a hen...bahahaha...my brother still brings up the fact that he had to stop by some drive thru because he was still hungry. It's amazing how certain comments/situations 'stick with you'....now if I make dinner for peeps I tend to go overboard and make enough to feed an army.

I grew up in a household where Thanksgiving wasn't a huge dealio...New Years Day is much bigger...The family gets together and we eat tons and tons of Japanese food..love it! My favorite part is hearing all the family stories...I love hearing stories when my Mom was younger...she grew up in Japan...came to the good 'ole USA when she was in high school...that's where she met my Dad. {Unfortunately my Dad passed away in 1999, a non-smoker that died of Lung Cancer...sigh.} My Uncle is a fantastic story-teller..he was a banker all his life....you'd never know it when you become so engrossed in his animated stories.

Anywho's, I'm hoping to make these Red Velvet Cupcakes ala Amy Butler's Mom's recipe.We'll see how motivated I am...cripes the line at the grocery store may just scare me off..BUT I managed to pick up thee cutest wire cupcake holder at a g-sale at the end of the summer...I want to use that puppy:)

This is a small giftie...it is 3.5 x 3.5....the patterned paper is American Crafts...including that sweet owlie! Last week when I was out and about with Elaine, I discovered the AC pack of papers at M's for 40% off...{insert girl ninja pic here..LOL}. The striped satin ribbon is a vintage m's $ bin deal...

This already went postal to a gal...hope she thinks it is fun...hey happy mail is way better than bills!

This is the interior of the 'card':

Next up is CPS...I happened to put together my CPS143 project by accident...LOL. My dd's end of the season soccer party was Sunday afternoon.

I wanted to put together a Starbucks gift card holder for one of the soccer moms. She gave my boy a ride home one evening..I tell you..this gal IS super woman...super mom...super teacher...super everything. Anywho's...I wanted to put together something 'snappy' for her and happened to catch sight of the print out I made of all the challenges I wanted to participate in this week....BINGO!

Originally I was going to use another Eskimo Kisses panel for the circle but it just didn't 'look' right...so I used my SU Snowflake punch...you know, the one that I just 'had to have' and haven't used it much. I glitzed it up with Martha glue and silver glitter...topped it off with a PTI vintage button and SU twine.

Here's the interior...that small strip of BG is a scrap...it holds the flap down:) You'll no doubt be seeing a ton of these...I have yet another Gift Show in a couple weeks...guess what I'll be doing my Thanksgiving weekend inbetween ninja shopping? Yup, making projects for the show.

I wanted to share another RAK that I received last week...I tell you it was Happy Mail week!!!!

I know I've mentioned it before, I have a horrible memory...I was trying to remember how Steph and I met...I think she found me or did I find her? Anyways, I'm such a lucky duck...I was taking pics of the goodies but the packaging was glaring all over the place..yipes..but let's just say the girl knows me and you'll be seeing some new goods on some projects soon...thanks again Steph!!!!!!!

The lavender was throwing me...I'm not a lavender kind of gal BUT I'm always up for a challenge:

The chippie tree is Maya Road...I colored the trunk with a copic and covered the other part with SU designer paper...The apples are Fancy Pants buttons {good for the Cards Magazine blog challenge to include at least 5 buttons!}. The cloud paper & hello rub on are American Crafts...Do you see my lavender? Yup, it is the Marvy butterfly!

The hello banner is actually kind of wavy...kwim? I anchored it down by the "h" and by the 2nd "l"...

I wanted to share another RAK that I received last week. I decided to hijack Yvonne's blog...her pic is gorgeous...check out the lovely piece of art she made me....I know, pretty incredible...it is quite the keepsake...please leave her some blog love...it arrived intact all the way from Singapore!!!!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

The Reader's Digest version of how it works...for the next several weeks until the end of the year, I will be slinging out Blog Candy..it runs Sunday 12:00 am until Saturday 11:59 pm {pacific time}. That means you have 7 days to comment on...totalling 7 chances to win the candy!!!!

You know, only 1 comment per day per peep...US and international are welcome to join in the fun. It is a way for ME to thank YOU for making my blog experience such a positive one...

I know...yadda, yadda, yadda..onto a pic of this week's candy:

I know, we're all card makers...don't think of this of a cheater pants way to get some of your Holiday Cards done...think of it as a way to add to your stash or heck, PIF it to someone...share the love:)

The commenting starts on my regular sunday post..PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE A COMMENT ON THIS POST:

I looked at it and looked at it....and decided to just take the leap and well, get sewing: Yup, each of the strips of brocade Graphic 45 is stitched down to the red panel....I added the ZVA flourish to add a smidge of 'bling' to the 'lonely' side of the card...you know you are getting old when you can't really read what's on a die cut...good grief, the text size on the "housewife" piece is soooooo tiny...something about 'Our new doily...stamping outfit'....help...what does that translate to? LOL...I'm actually going to be sending this to a friend of mine...she has made the decision to make a career change...so at the end of the year she'll be leaving her job....she'll take a couple months off and then do 'something new'....pretty exciting if you ask me...I'm happy for her...we have been cracking up about her becoming a housewife...if you knew this girl, you'd know that she's always been career driven. It will definitely be a huge change of pace for her. I know that everything will fall into place for her......shouldn't we all be doing something that we love?

I'm going to share a RAK that I received from the very lovely Elaine. We met through a ribbon share that she had on her blog...probably about the same time I started blogging...I feel like I've known Elaine for-ever. This gal CRACKS me UP!!!! I met up with her during lunch on Friday and we were laughing the entire time {we were ninja shopping..LOL}.

Anyways, here's the most fabbie card she hand delivered to me:

Isn't it absolutely fantabulous??!!! Check out all those magnificent flowers and all the details...pssstt....the girl can shop..LOL.

We've been actually talking about something to do to gather some ♥♥Pacific Northwesteners♥♥....a shoe box card swap? a mini garage sale {somebody's old is your new!}....whaddya think ladies??? What a great way to get together and have FUN! Leave me a comment and let's start chatting about it...I was thinking of something AFTER the holiday's...in January.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Savitri calls this her "sad face" but I think she is just tooooo stinkin' adorable!

I flipped the sketch and came up with this:

All the patterned paper and the die cut is MME. I love their stuff...can't get enough of their stuff! Psstt....I was the lazy bones crafter and didn't want to change out my thread on the Janome so I went with what was already threaded...chocolate...okay, it works...the outline of the text on the die cut is chocolate too..whew..good way to explain that one..LOL. I went with the unexpected ribbon choice...chocolate...to bring out the other chocolate and well, I didn't have red polka dot ribbon...bahaha...

Okay, several weeks ago I told myself that I wanted to make more non-sketch challenge cards...this is one of them:

Ahhhh...gotta love those My Cute Stamps snails...especially when they are wearing their sparkly shells:) The 'rolling hills' have actually been swiss dotted and are on pop dots...the hills are 2 separate panels...seriously, who doesn't LOVE Eskimo Kisses? I have to tell you though, I seemed to have 'misplaced' my 6x6 pad after this project. What the heck? I know...I must have travelled with it or something...travelled as in, IN MY HOUSE...oy...yes, I should share a pic of my crafting hallway...it's a MESS'ola.

You all know how much I love a 'good deal'...I mean, who doesn't?? Well, see my background paper? It is MM and glittered...guess where I bought it??? ROSS...good grief ladies...I couldn't believe it! Here's the thing, there was only 1 pkg left and in my true stealth ninja moves I swooped down and made my way to the cashier as quick as possible...what's that? How much did it cost? $5!!! $5....can you stand it?!!! How many sheets? 24! OY....did the room just clear out? Stampede over at Ross!!!

Okay, I better step away from the keyboard...somebody's had too much coffee and is crackin' herself up...yup, that's me!

Come on back tomorrow for 365 Cards Super Sketchy Sunday and a pic or two of some recent happy mail:)

Friday, November 20, 2009

If you know me...you know that I love to paper piece...love, love, love it. Today's card is full of Unity Goodness...why? It seems that I've been neglecting those darling stamps...I have to say that I'm pretty happy with this puppy....

This card is quite timely as I'm 100% happy...why? I finished off my parent/teacher conferences for both of my kids last night and I couldn't be more thrilled. Thrilled because both of the kids are doing fantabulous in school...There's nothing like hearing that your child is a good student, kind and polite...I totally am thankful for my lovely kidlets...I love them to pieces.